Mohawk Ironworkers Take Second at State Meet

Thursday, May 10, 2018

By Tim Blair, Times-Democrat Sports Staff

The 3A state runner-up Mohawk weight lifting team.

courtesy photo

The sport of competitive team weight lifting is the epitome of a team effort, with each pound lifted by the individual members counting toward the outcome. There are no empty performances, as each lifter must strive to do their part—or pull the team down. With this mindset, the Piggott Mohawk weightlifting team traveled to Jessieville recently to compete. And, thanks to a consummate team effort the Tribe brought home second place in state.

“This bunch has won the Hoxie Invitational three years in a row, and the inaugural Mohawk Invitational this year along with meets at Perryville,” Coach Michael Harrell said of the team.

When Harrell took over as the head football coach he joined with long-time coach Shawn Hearn in implementing the “Bigger, Faster, Stronger” program. In the years since, the effort has shown big dividends, from the Mohawk's back-to-back football playoff appearances to Nate Mallard's state record in the shot put recently to a top showing in last year's 3A weight meet. With much of the success owed to the work in the PHS weight room.

“The only reason we did so well is because of the sacrifices some of our lifters made for the team,” Hearn explained. “Seniors Cade Harrell and Nate Mallard both lifted above their weight class to get us more pounds, and that helped us to second place. They could have both medaled in their weight classes, but they gave up the chance for individual honors to help the team—and that says a lot about them. And a lot about how they provide leadership. They could have been at least third in the state, but they sacrificed for the team.”

Of the Mohawks lifting at the meet only Gunner Shaw medaled, as he was second in the 149 to 165 pound class with a power clean of 275 and a bench press of 255. Based on the weighted judging, Harrell competed in the 221 to 241 class and power cleaned 275 while bench pressing 315. Mallard competed in the 243 to 259 pound weight class, also power cleaning 275 while bench pressing 305.

“We lifted 4,670 total pounds and were second to Junction City for the second year in a row,” Hearn added. “Last year they beat us by 140 pounds and this year it was 200, but we'll be working on getting better.”

The other Mohawks lifting, and their weight classes, include—Isaac Langley in 123 and under; Logan Ralph in 124 to 132; Corbin Midkiff in 133 to 148; John Jones in the 166 to 181 pound class; Lane Buchanan in the 188 to 198 pound class; Alex Gibson in the 199 to 220 pound class and Devyn Riley in the 260 pound and up class.